The Ranee became legendary during her lifetime as a woman of strength and intelligence, as well as on account of her status, which she shared with the other White Rajahs, of being at once a British subject and an Asian monarch.

Her younger brother, Harry de Windt, was well known to the west at that time as an explorer and travel writer.

After the marriage, Rajah Charles automatically appointed her the title of Ranee of Sarawak with the style of Her Highness.

Ranee Margaret Brooke was described in her book as intelligent, forceful, non-sentimental and with the ability to dominate by her presence.

One of Oscar Wilde's fairytales, "The Young King", is dedicated to "Margaret, Lady Brooke, The Ranee of Sarawak".